Folding step and trapdoor arrangement



Sept. 19, 1950 F. c. HEYERDAHL- 2,522,674

FOLDING STEP AND TRAPDOOR ARRANGEMENT Filed April 30, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 19, 1950 F. c. HEYERDAHL 2,522,674

FOLDING STEP AND TRAPDOOR RRANGEMENT l '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 30, 1945 Sept. 19, 1950 F. c. HEYERDAHL 2,522,674

FOLDING STEP AND TRAPDOOR ARRANGEMENT Filed April 30, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I TMHMO. I-

Sept. 19, 1950 F. c. HEYERDAHL I 2,522,674

FOLDING STEP AND TRAPDooR ARRANGEMENT Filed April 30, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 UMH lli/lz I M w55 unmffrl i nl Ir nl 53 mi, u1 HW, Uyl www..

Sept. 19, 1950 F. c. HEYEHDAl-n.- 2,522,674

FOLDING STEP AND TRAPDOOR ARRANGEMENT Filed .Aprilv 50, 1945 7 sheets-sheet e sept; 19, 195o F. c. HEYERDAHL l FOLDING STEP AND TRAPDooR ARRANGEMENT Filed April so, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Sept. 19, 195

FOLDING STEP AND TRAPDOOR ARRANGEMENT Frederick C. Heyerdahl, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application April 30, 19452, Serial No. 591,154

(Cl. S-430) 16 Claims.

This invention relates to an interconnected folding step and trapdoor arrangement for railway passenger cars and has for its primary purpose the provision of a pre-assembled step structure adapted readily to installation in the step well of cars under construction and provided with adjustable mechanism for mounting the step assembly to compensate for variations occurring between the step and the step well and with respect to the trapdoor, and having mechanism connecting the folding step and trapdoor for coj incidental operation, including multiple adjusting means in the connection vfor varying the relation thereof with respect to the trapdoor and to the step and to compensate for variations in the relation of the mounted step assembly to the cooperating trapdoor and incident to the fitting of the step into the step well and of the trapdoor in the car end platform over the step well.

An important object of the invention is toa provide an arrangement for installing a step assembly in a step well, including demountable bearings for pivotally supporting the step and which are adjustable to locate the pivotal axis of the step as determined by the relative opera-.y4

tive position of the step with respect to the step well.

A particular object of the invention is the provision of a bearing arrangement for supporting a step assembly in a step well and which may be adjusted to regulate the normal operative pof sition of the step in the step well and having demountable means for removing the step without disturbing the adjustment of the arrangement whereby the relation of the step to the step well is unchanged and the step may be removed and reinstalled without changing such adjustment.

A further important object of the invention contemplates a folding step assembly and co.

incidentally operating trapdoor interconnected for simultaneous opening and closing movements by means having threaded engagement with the step and trapdoor, adapted to have relative Y prises a strut operative between a folding step i assembly and a cooperating trapdoor, and which has universally pivotal connections with the step and trapdoor, each including a threaded connection providing for adjustment of the strut with respect to the step and to the trapdoor and one of such threaded connections being bodily acljustable relative to the associated part in which it is mounted.

A still further object of the invention provides a connection between a coincidentally operating trapdoor and folding step assembly comprising a strut member of a section to transmit all operating forces between the step and trapdoor but so designed as not to project prominently into the stairway and disposed closely adjacent to the eX- posed surface of the trapdoor when the steps are disposed in operative position and so proportioned and arranged in relation to the trapdoor and fixed portions in the step well as to preclude use of the connection as a hand grab.

The foregoing and other and more specific objects of the invention, including improved hardware for securing the trapdoor and thereby `the step assembly in open and closed positions and for releasing the securing means and initiating actuation of the parts, are attained by the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a general perspective View of a portion of a railway car equipped with the folding step assembly and cooperating trapdoor of this inlvention showing the vestibule of the car with the steps in raised inoperative position and the trapdoor secured in closed position over the step well with the vestibule side door overlying the trapdoor and disposed in closed position against the threshold thereon;

Fig. 2 is a similar general perspective View of the vestibule area of the car with the vestibule side door in open position secured to the body end wall andthe trapdoor raised to uncover the step well and secured against the open side door with folding step assembly lowered to provide a stairway to the car platform and showing the connection between the trapdoor and step for coincidental operation with the adjustable supporting bearings for the step assembly indicated in dotted lines; f Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through the vestibule taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 5 with the trapdoor raised and the steps lowered to their operativeposition, with the operating connection 4 extending between the steps and trapdoor and Aclearly showing the relation of the connection to the pivotal axes of lthe steps trapdoor and the relation of the folding step assembly to the fixed step incorporated as a. part of the step well structure;

Fig. 4 is a similar cross sectional view through the step and trapdoor arrangement taken on the line vl'-i of Fig. 5 and looking in the opposite direction from Fig. 3 but illustrating the folding steps in their raisedposition with thegbottomside thereof conforming to 'the curvature Vof the -car side and the trapdoor releasably secured in its lowered position covering the step well with the vestibule side door in closed position overlying the trapdoor and engaging the threshold thereon in weathersealing relation;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the `step Well longitudinally of the car taken on theijline 5-5 of Fig. 3, illustrating the steps `and trapdoor both in open position and showing, in.section,;the adjustable attachment of the connection between the steps and trapdoor to the trapdoor and the adjustable and demountable bearing supports for the-folding steps,and illustrating also vthe Jhardlware for releasably securing the trapdoorv in 'closed position and that 'on the vestibule -side door"for'retaining the trapdoor upright open position. VThis View indicates in dotted lines the trapdoor in closed position with the Yrelative'posi- 'tion v'of the step connection;

"Fig. y6 is a fragmentary detail View in end 'elevation and on a larger scale-of one'of the adjustable supportingbearings forthe folding step showing the demountable nature of the assembly "as a unit andthe adjustability of the bearing either vertically or Ihorizontally to adjust the steps to irregularities'in the step wells andr compensate for variations in lthe vrelation ofthe 'step assembly to the trapdoor;

Fig. 7 -is another viewfof oneof the adjustable supporting bearin-gs 'taken' inI section -in the same plane as in the case of the bearing at the right in Fig. 5 and showing the unitary demountability of the `assemblyandthe-means-for adjusting the bearing vertically, and clearly revealing theremovable trunnion arrangement providing for :the removalof the step assembly without'disturbing "theadjustment of `the supporting bearing;

Fig. Sis a detail elevational ;view,xto .larger -sc'ale, of the attachment of .the .operating con- -nection between the trapdoor and step assembly Lto the trapdoor with `the y coverplate 'partially broken away better to reveal thel-adjustable-slid- A'ing block for bodily-shifting the-point of attachment ofthe connection to the trapdoor Awith-'the adjustable means foreffecting suchshifting, "and showing the swiveling -mounting in fthe Vsliding yblock to which the operating v'connection is se- A'cured for Ypivotal movementat'right vangles to 'the swiveling movements of thefmounting-Where- -by to Dafford universal movement'v of the-operatfing connection with respect to the trapdoor;

"Fig, 9 is a'vertical sectional viewthroughthe vconnection to the trapdoor takeny on the`line99 'of Fig. 8 and clearly showing the threaded securement of the swiveling mounting inthe sliding 'block with the operating connectionpivotally'selcured "tothe mounting vat right 'angles to the swiveling movement and the adjustments for shiftfing Ythevblock with-thecover plate secured' in'position to conceal 'the mechanisirn ,'Fig. 10 is a horizontal cross sectional View 'through' the yconnection taken on the line lU--IU 'of/Fig; 8 showing theadaptability of the swiveling and `pivotal connections to universal movement vand clearly revealing the' interlocking rela- 4tion -ofthe sliding-blockfwith the baseportionl of Ipoint beyond the extent Yof Athe hinges for the vtrapdoor "and illustrating-*the trapdoor in lowered closed position, but indicating the raised open position thereof in broken lines and similarlyindicating the open position of the vestibule .side door adjacent to the body end wall;

Fig. 12 is a detailplan view of the releasable securingmeansfor retaining the trapdoor in its lowered position, flush with the platform, and showing the fulcrum means for imparting an upwa'rd thrust-:on'fthe trapdoor subsequent to the release .of the securing means and both operated" by the same plunger;

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional View of the trapdoor-securing mechanism taken on the line "I3- I3 of'Fig. l2 through the central portion of ythedevice and showing the pivoted latch member 'engaging the "trapdoor with Athe intermediate'lever member for retracting the latch ldisposed Lbetween the latch and-a, foot-operated plunger for actuating the mechanism; and

Fig. 1'4 also Vis a detail sectional view of the trapdoor securing mechanism taken'on theline lll-lil of Fig 12'through'aportion of the 'device symmetrical at opposite sides of the central-.portion and showing Vthe Vopera'tion'of one ofthe'ful- .Crum levers for initialhr actuating theitrapdo'or when the 'foot plunger isy depressed to release the securing latch.

VHeretofore ithas been the customarypractce to construct `the vestibule folding steps as a sub-assembly, which .was then brought to the .car for installation in the step well. The step assembly was connected for simultaneous operation with and ,asan incident to the operation of the 'trapdoor and consequently in the mounting of the assemblyin the step well it was necessary that ,the steps'be ,so fitted and adjusted before permanent `mounting in the `car structure as to operate in proper relation to the Vstep Well and so as not to .engage or bind .upon 'the side walls of thestep well. 'The operationof thestepassemblyabout its pivotal axis must be such vthat in the .inoperative position .of .the steps the bottom surface of the 4assembly is :disposedflush with the outer curved side wall of the car and the ,edge .of the rst .step tread, comprising the .uppermost portion of the step in lthis position, must close in properly spaced yparallel relation 'to thelower surface lof the closed trapdoor, and'in the operative position Lof `the final Yassembly to obtain conditions not desired in the operative relations of ythe parts.

In lthe present invention theseobjections are 'overcome in part by the vprovision of mounting means for the step assembly in the step well Awhich-providesfor the adjustment of the pivotal axis of the step assembly to permit-shifting thereof as required by the positioning of the lassembly in the step well to accommodate any changes in the disposition of the axis necessary "to the normal-'operation ofthe steps fbetweenla horizontal operative position and an inoperative position in proper relation to the car side and trapdoor and insuring the functioning of vthe step assembly in spaced parallel relation to countered relative to the mounting and operative alignment of the step assembly and trapdoor in relation to each other and to the step Well and platform and the car side, an adjustable connection is provided between the trapdoor and step assembly which is secured to each for relative universal movements, and adjustable with respect to both to compensate for irregularities occurring between the step and trapdoor incident to their initial installation in the car. The universal attachments each include a threaded member securing the connection to the trapdoor and step assembly respectively and which serves the twofoldy function of providing at once, not only a means of affording the swiveling movement necessary to one direction of the universal movements of the connection, but also a means of adjustment of the connection relative to theI respectively associated parts. One of the universal attachments of the connection-that, in

vestibule I4 which is complemented by a similar arrangement at the opposite side of the car to provide a full width vestibule occupying the car end and having a passageway affording communication between adjoining cars in a train. The platform I5 comprises the oor of the vestibule and a trapdoor i6, iiush with the surface of the platform in the closed position of the trapdoor, covers a step well I1 beneath the level of the platform and between the end Walls II and I2. When the side door I3 is closed the trapdoor cannot be opened since the side door overlies the trapdoor in this position and it is necessary rst to open the vestibule sidel door and then the trapdoor which serves as a safety feature in that the trapdoor must always be lowered before the side door can be closed so that the trapdoor is not likely to be left open while the car is in transit, and since the trapdoor is connected to a step assembly, hereinafter to be described, the steps cannot be moved tol operative position when the side door is closed part of the trapdoor structure. The hinge structure I8 includes a hinge butt I9 extending substantially full width of the trapdoor from the threshold to the inner side and having spaced t end bearings 2e secured thereto by welding and between which a continuous concentrically disf posed tube 22, constructed as a part of and forming the hinge edge of the trapdoor between the hinge bearings, is adapted to be received. The

trapdoor'is' supported for pivotal movement iti the end bearings 2l) by means of short axles 2I fixed in the end bearings and about which the trapdoor rotates by reason of the entrance of the supporting axles within the tube 22 forming the hinge edge of the trapdoor The hinge butt I9 is sub-assembled with the trapdoor and the complete assembly installed in the car by securing the hinge butt to the car platform structure adjacent to end wall II, as best indicated in Fig. 5.

The trapdoor is secured in its lowered, closed position flush with the car platform I 5 by means of a latch mechanism 23 constituting part of improved hardware more fully hereinafter to be referred to, and, when the vestibule side door I3, which swings inwardly, has been opened and secured against the vestibule end wall I I by means of a door-holding device (not shown), the trapdoor is adapted to be pivoted about its hinge structure I8 and raised to a position in front of and fastened to the outer face of the side door within the vestibule where it is securely held by means of a catch mechanism 24 on the side door which engages the same keeper 25 on the trapdoor to hold the trapdoor open as engaged by the latch '23 to hold the trapdoor closed and both of which are automatically engaged by the keeper as the trapdoor is moved from one position to the other releasably to maintain the trapdoor in either of its final positions covering or uncovering the step well respectively.

The latch mechanism 23 securing the trapdoor in closed position covering the step well combines the functions of releasing the trapdoor and imparting an initial opening thrust thereto. The mechanism comprises a casing 2B removably secured by means of machine screws to the platform structure I5 adjacent the edge of the trapdoor opening at the free edge of the trapdoor, and in which a retracti-ble bolt 27 is pivotally mounted in position to project beyond the edge of the trapdoor opening into the path of the trapdoor to overlie the keeper 25 in the closed position of the trapdoor. The bolt 21 is pivoted at 28 adjacent the top of the casing 26 so that as the trapdoor I6 is moved to closed position it will engage the outer sloping face of the bolt automatically to retract it as the trapdoor is pressed home to its fully closed position. The bolt is projected by a spring 29 automatically to engage the keeper 25 as the trapdoor passes, to maintain the trapdoor in fully closed Position.

A rearward extension 30 on the bolt, having laterally projecting lugs 3l, provides a means of retracting the bolt when it is desired to release the trapdoor for opening movement. This rearward extension is of restricted width compared with the keeper engaging portion of the bolt, as best shown in Fig. 12 and is straddled by a bifurcated fulcrum lever 32 pivotally mounted at 33 in the casing 26 and the respective jaws of which i engage beneath the lugs 3| to exert a lifting force thereon when actuated and thereby rotating the bolt about its pivot 28 to withdraw the projecting portion thereof from engagement with the keeper 25 on the trapdoor. The fulcrum lever 32 is actuated by a foot-operated plunger 35 mounted in the casing 25 for vertical reciprocation and having a recess 36 in its shank adapted in the released condition of the plunger to receive that end of the fulcrum lever opposite the bifurcated jaw engaging the retractible bolt.

- When the plunger 35 is depressed, the engagemauses'the:fulcrump` lever to "be frotatedabout, its pivot :pointi33 aand :thereby 'impart the lifting :force to thefrearward extensionyfbefore .rei'ferred'to,`or;retracting .the bolt.

The plunger .55 atter :being-depressed to reilease the trapdooris returned'to normally:` raised :position by'means of a compression spring l3'! disposed about vthe shank of kthe lplunger rand amounted in a portion of;the:casing.f26 extending about the shank and projectingbeneath-thezsurface of the platform as indicatedinFig 5. iWihen :,.thefoot plungeris--depressed to releasewthe trap- .doorlatch it'fserves the #additional :functiondof imparting an "initial ropening i-thrust `to 'the trapydoor and vvwhich loccurs"subsequently'to theeopl feration of-releasing the` latch f2?. 'The retractible boltZ'Lthe fulcrum lever 32 and the plunger135 :are r`arranged in sequential alignment disposed substantially "centrally of the casing T26 with the -retractible lbolt land 'the -fulcrum lever flankedv V,by 'intermediater` walls 39 :of -sthe casing fandxin which ythe'pivots 2G and =33 for Vthese members -are1mounted- At respectively outer sidesofgthe intermediate walls,zpowerful lifting 1evers40 are 4fulcrumed in :the casingin :position-.to engage fthe vkeeper `25 Von the 'trapdoor and-to be en- ;gaged iby means ron -rthe plunger for actuating them. The :levers -llil` Aare fentirely separate `of :eaclfrother and are pivotally mounted in the casiing -26 `between vthe .intermediate walls 39 and 4respectively outer =walls `38, as best shOWninFig. 12, by means of removable fulcrums 4| thread- `./ed-intotheouter walls, passing through 'the liftv`ing'levers andfndingfbearing in the respective inner lwalls. The fulcrums, while separate,are axially aligned-for simultaneous functioning of .the lifting levers and are securelyzheldin posi- -tion byineans of llock'washers disposed between the heads of the fulcrums and therespectively .associated walls 33.

The lifting levers d eachfextend 'continuously from a point engaged .beneaththe keeper .f25lon the-"trapdoor, overthe fulcrurnsd lV andto a point `alongside of -the shank of'the plunger.-.35,-.and. exceptfor the 4portions extending beneath the keeper,disposedientirely `within the casing 25so "that they are -fsubstantially cornpleteh7 enclosed. {Fhe ends of the .levers atthe -sides zof the foot fplunger are engaged vrbyJateral .proj ections 42,-- integral-with the plunger, whenthe plungerfis de-fy @pressed :to -release the latch 2l 'and .actuate -the :levers Th-ese ,lateral projections pass through slots 43 in the casing 25 to '.engagethe; levers All @as v.the .plunger A35 is depressed 'and normallyare 'spaced 'above .thelevers a distance suiicient tov the keeper 25 at'opposite sides df A'thevretractibler f'bolt '27 and disposed alongside of the intermediate walls '39 of the casing, y-as shown infFig. 12,

theoutside Walls '38'and that portionA thereof cov- -ering the levers being outback to lexpose inthe lifting:end Vof "the levers 'and to provide fa space at the respective outer sides Yof the .intermediate walls to receive the offset portions 45 overlying .'fthese exposed ends vof the levers. The fratioxof the length of the, lifting 'levers between'their-'iulcrums 4| and vtheplunger .35 and .between theulon the keeper lying between the bolt and the-dedrums -andltne-gkeeper ;2 5 A.on l the'trapdoor. isfsucli thatethe former `lelfl'gth :is :greater Ethan thelatter -wherebyhto .increase the.: force .of anygiven pres- -sure applied .to -the footqplunger )when translated to aliiting force onthe trapdoor. -When the 'foot plunger is depressed, .the immediate functionfris .to rotate the ;fulcrum lever .-32 :about its pivot :'33 -togreleasethe latch V2l, .during which .actionlthe Ifulcr'um' leven portion -M-is forced Aout of .the recess-.36 in `theplunger by the downward move- -ment thereof -and during the continuedmovei ment of thelplunger .the lever .portiony 3 4 ,engages inslot--AG to.,maintain.the proper alignment'lee- .tween ,the fulcrurn `lever andthe recess 3.6 upon release, -and insuringealso .the alignmentof )the `lateral projections 42Uon the plunger Vwith .the `slots 43 in thefcasing .26 .'during depression.

'SI-hecatch mechanism 4218 for -automaticallyfen- .gaging the trapdoor as it is raised anduforire- .fleasably securing the trapdoor in ropen position .comprises accasingr I isecuredfby machine :screws upon the outerace Aofthesdedoor in position .to cooperate with thekeeper 2.5 onthe :trapdoon The casing is -Jprovided with a depending --base Gange .52 'against which one `of the .oifset spor- .tions 45 of the fkeeper .25 isadap-ted to bear inthe Lully :open position offthe trapdoor. A:retractible vbolt v53 -,is pivotally mountedin the casingvat'i54 in position normally to extend below ttherlevel of the casing into the path of the Vtravel farcaof `the keeper .-25 when the trapdoor ismoved toopen lposition. Thebolt yis .projected lby .means of'a spring 55 which ,permits .the bolt to .beretrac-ted to permit .passage of the member l5 :and which is .accomplished automatically in 4the opening movement of .1the/trapdo0r by -the engagementiof the keeper member-,45 with the .slopingexposed Asurface of the bolt, :after passage of which `the bolt, under pressure'ofthe spring, is returned to its fully vprojected-position vwith Vthexmember 45 .pendingbasefange portion ,-52 and when it isde- .sired to move the -trapdoor to closed position the bolt may be retracted manually. Theo-utward movement :of the bolt is limited by `a .stopx56 thereon which'is .engageable with the .base ofthe -casing to prevent rotation of the-bolt aboutits Y pivot` beyond a predetermined locking relationfto the keepermember.

The bolt' 53 rmay be retracted v'manually fo yclosing operations of .the .trapdoor by means -of l an operating: handle --51 fpivotally mounted v'at .58

-in 'the casing Iadjacent the upper vend thereof .and

-entirely vremoved from the path-of movement-of the trapdoor. The .operation of this upstanding :handle is..in ra, .direction toward the open .side

fdoor l3fas indicated bythe arrow in Fig. 5, and A Whenthe handle is thus `moved a' depending lever extensionthereof, integral-therewithgas zshown at -.60

:casing 5l vltorotate .the Ybolt 53 about itspivotal .-:axis -in adirection to retract "the projectingilock `59, moves-.in the opposite ydirection Within .the

portion. This integral lever portion of the Ioperating `handleais vbifurcated simil-arly 'to thefiful- -crum lever 32-of thetrapdoor latch'mechanism vZland is :adapted .to vstraddle an Aextension 6| of the locking blt and yengage oppositelyextending lugs lilkfor .operation of vthe bolt in a manner .similar to that of the rpreviously described arrangementbutfwithout the-interposition o'fxanin- .termediate fulcrum .lever between the operating member and the boltthe operating handle-51 lbeing .directly f'connected through the lbifurcated vlever59 withthe locking :bolt :for `direct actu- :ation thereof. It will fbe seen .from ian :examination of the perspective illustration of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 that the natural inclination of one operating the mechanism is to press the operating handle 51 in a, direction towards the face of the open side door i3, where upon, as shown in Fig. 5, the engagement of the lever 59 with the lugs 60 on the bolt extension 6! causes the bolt to be rotated about its pivotal axis 54 a distance sufficient to withdraw the locking portion 53 from the path of the keeper portions 45 to enable the trapdoor I6 to be movedl out of range of the catch mechanism when the operating handle may be released and the trapdoor then moved to fully closed position, secured by the latch mechanism 23.

The trapdoor, adjacent its outer ed-ge on the upper surface, is provided with a threshold 65 which in the horizontal closed position of the trapdoor is disposed in position to be engaged by weatherstrip 66 on the ibottom edge of the vestibule side door to provide a weatherseal therebetween in the closed position of the side door. The remaining three sides of the trapdoor are weatherstripped about the step well I1, as at 61, 6B and 69 respectively, whereby the entrance of dirt and moisture, or the like, into the vestibule area is positively prevented.

The step well I1, for receiving the step assembly hereinafter to be described, includes side walls 10 at respectively opposite sides of the step well. These side walls are each rigidied by means of a vertically disposed channel shaped reinforcing member 1I secured to the respective walls by welding, and extending from the platform structure and the underframe structure, to both of which they are secured by welding, substantially to the lower extremity of the respective side walls. These reinforcing members are disposed in that area of the side walls of the step well in which the pivotal supports for the step assembly are located and serve to supplementv the side walls 13 in the support of the step assembly from the platform and underframe structures at respectively opposite sides of the step well and to stiffen the side walls against lateral flexure. Mounting plates 12 are secured in the channel members for the attachment of removable bearing assemblies for the pivotal support of the steps, and these plates are welded to the members 1l in positions disposed about openings 13 extending through the respective side walls and the reinforcing members, and through which the bearing assemblies are adapted to protrude in opposing relation from opposite sides of the stepwell in the support of the step assembly.

A fixed step tread 'i5 extends between and is secured to the side walls 1Q in the step well at one step level below the level of the platform l and a riser 16, also extending lbetween and secured to the side walls of the step well, closes the space be tween this step and the platform, and a similar depending riser 11 disposed adjacent to the forward edge of the step extends downwardly therefrom a distance corresponding to the normal height of a step. This riser also extends between and is secured to the side walls 10 of the step well and is reinforced at its bottom edge by an angle member 18 secured thereto by welding, and disposed at the rear side thereof.r This angle member is continuous and extends upwardly at the respectively opposite sides of the step well for 'attachment to the side walls 15J. This fixed step 15 and the risers 1E and 11 define the inner limits of the step well and are so disposed as to cooperate with the folding step assembly, presently to be deillustrated in Fig. '1.

(them from their 10-v scribecL in such manner as to provide a continuous unbroken stairway extending from a normal height at the car side to the platform I5.

The step assembly is comprised of a pair of spaced side walls 19 and 8l connected by upper,

intermediate and lower step treads 82, 83 vand' 84 respectively, disposed at equal, vertically spaced intervals corresponding substantially to the height of the risers. 16 and 11 associated with the fixed step 15 and having risers 85 and 86 between the intermediate tread and the respective upper and lower treads. The under side of the steps is covered by a closure plate 81, which, in the inoperative position of the steps, conceals the underside thereof and conforms to the inward curvature of the car side wall at the lower portion, all as best shown in Fig. 4, so that the steps when thus disposed serve to close the step well opening at the side of the car and present a surface ush with the surface of the side. The y closure plate 81 overlaps and is securedl to the edge flange portion of the lower tread 84 at the free edge of the step assembly and all of parts, including the treads 82, 83 and 84, the risers 85 and 86, and the back closure plate 81, are secured to the side walls 19 and 8l by welding to provide an integrated assembly rigidied by the very nature of the box structure thus afforded, and stiffened and reinforced by the disposition of the tread plates and risers in angular relation throughout the major area of and extending between the step side walls, and further stilfened by the closure plate in portions of the side walls not reinforced by the treads or risers.

The respective side walls.19 and 8| of the step assembly are each provided with a xed bearing receptacle in the form of a flanged collet 9| secured on the outer face of the side walls by welding, as best shown in the large scale sectional view The collets are disposed with their base flange portions in contact with the respective step side walls and their open and cylindrical barrel portions extending outwardly therefrom in axial alignment on an axis passing through the step at one side of the center of balance assembly and about which such assembly is4 adapted to revolve. The collets 9| are adapted to receive removable cylindrical sleeve bearings 92 which are mounted in the barrel portions thereof and have outstanding annular flange portions 93 overlapping the open end of the respective barrel portions to provide end bearing adapted to resist end thrust. p,

The pivotal axis of the step assembly is located to that side of the center balance of the steps whereby, when released, the steps move by gravity in the direction toward their operative position, affording access to the car platform, and are mounted in the step well l1 by means `of removable supporting assemblies secured in the respective side walls L1t) of the step well. When the step assembly is properly positioned in the step well, the bearing receptacles 9| on the step side walls 19 and 8l are disposed in axial alignment with the openings 13 in the respective side walls of the step well and trun nions 9d pro-ject through these openings and enter the bearing receptacles pivotally to support the steps for the movement necessary to rotate inoperative raised position, shown in Figs. 1 and 4, to their lowered operative position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and vice versa. The trunnions Se are ixedly supported in the side walls of the step well and the bearings 92 in the bearing receptacles on the steps rotates-relatively' theretof-withthe stepv assembly1 'f as-itl is operated:

The trunnions eachcomprise '-part of-"a unitary washers, provide meansf ofl removably fastening the-mounting'fcollar` tothe web of the supporte. ingandf rigidif-yingfchannelf' member-7| on the side-#wall 10.- The=mounting collar 951 is-adapted ing =the-trunnion 94;- and `whichv Iis providedilwith aniannular ange f-'disposed between the collarl 95?? and the web ofchannelmember'l'l infthel planeeof Ythe attaching plate.''|2` When, tl'ie-I col lar is vsecured byubolts-91the'sleeve 99"is.thusy confined' against axial displacementfby theven gagement: of the'annular/-` flange` between thev mounting-collar and rthe channel member..

Thelcsleevemember` suspended inv the mount'.-`l` ing I collary 95fA by meansi-offal plurality: of adjusteablekl cap screws |00 "threaded through the cole.

larvand? engaging the sleeve@ onfalllfour sides.'-Y

Locking nuts AI |T, secured-byflockfwashers;mainf-y The tr'unnion` 913i fory supporting:y each `r siderof'i steps is i tainvtheadjustment' o the cap screws.

These provided withanI enlargedholl'owzshank: portion:A

|5121' entered in' theisleeve'. 99" and secured-,.-against rotation on axial. displacement; by; means` oft a. pin I 93 passing'dirametrically .through:thea-sleeve andshankafand" cotterfkeyediin place s-oetha'ft.'.the` trunnion is xedwwithzrespect to: thesleevememe- The trunni'on194 ienters:A the.I bearing. S22-'nnberf.-v the steps and the enlarged-'shank |02 affordsa shoulder v| 0 Eadapted -`Itoengage 1 the bearingfsporetion? S3 i* to maintain thea sten-assembly centrally.-

disposed between thefside Walls" 'l0` of the: step:

Well-|` since ample s clearance -Y is providedjv betweenv. the bea-rings at-opposite-sides offthesteps'and' the respectively adj acent" side walls of the stepf well to provide -forz the ready removaliof the steph. assembly-- when theA supporting` trunnions: are:

withdrawn; The trunnions 94 are `adjustable axially vto provide for `vtake-up -on` the bearings'` in compensation'for-clea-ranceasa result of'fv'vear:`V and initially to regulatethe-- centrally'- disposed' installation of theY step assembly in the step well. vided Withal series'of radially disposed holes |01' at axiallyv spaced intervalsand'v the sleeve 99 is provided with apluralitypf radially disposed holes;|08, also axially-spaced with respect to each other, andthe pin |03v is adapted to be inserted through one of the holes: |08 in the sleeve and pass through one of theholes |01 in the trun nion shank` |02 to securetheetrunnion in ad. justed position. By moving the trunnions at oppositeA sides or the step assembly axially through the sleeves 99 to position the shoulders llil in relation to the bearings 93 and to locate the steps properly inrespect to the step welland then aligningrthey proper hole- |01 in the shank |02 with one of theA holesv |08 in the sleeve- 99, itwill` be seen that the proper adjustment' of the trunnions may readily be had. The number of such adjustments available is determined by the number of axially spaced holes |01 provided in the trunnion-shanksymultiplied by the: number.-

The" enlarged shank portion` |02 isl pro-.-

steps.

the combinations afforded b'y "associating the` various^holesin the trunnion-with'the respective: holes'in the supporting sleeve each providean .axial adjustment of the trunnion whensecu-red bythe'pn |03. The sleeve99 by means of thel bolts- 00; isf fixedJ -with respectf tothe mounting collar whereby, with the tru-unions 94= pro-v jecting -through theopenings '|13 in the opposite videdfin thefstepWella-boutwhichV the step assemblyV is adapted-to rotate as a unit. Thesleevei- 99 normally is=concentricallydisposed within the collar 95, with clearancetherebetween ony all? L'sides to provide for adjustment?ofthe-sleevein= any/direction` necessarya to the-fitting of Athe step assemblyto the step well, andith'e trunnion projectingfthrou'gh'fopening |3f in-the side walli-'ofiVv the step Awell isy adapted normally to loe-disposed concentrically with-respect thereto, butl which: relationl varies in accordancev with the a'f:l.]"usti'v ment of# the slfeeveemember supportingit.`

It will" readily beseen that; `with theladjlustablelf trunnion assemblies mountediuponl therespectivelsidewalls '10','1` with. the trunnionsk projecting through' the l i openings '|'3'' linto the bearings* 92T within the receptacles 9| on th'ef-st'eps;ltlie-fstepsllv aresupportedinf the step 4well on a pivotal axis,

the angular'A disposition-effi which `may be varied.r to. alter theA angle of operation 4of'the steps and change the relation# tl'lereoff'with 'respectito' `the step'- well and v'the-A trapdoor.` ofi cars-- are under/construction; vari-ations L occur fromf'car` to car which f affectl the relation zofV ther.-y

folding f'step Iande trapdcor: 'in'- frespect tofH their?v operative disposition: in `the f step-wellj but rin :the

presentinventionathe. floldinggsteps-may `bey con-fy structed@ asa1sub-assembly-,- complete in .everyl re,-A

spect; and accuratelyfifittedfin: the: step Awells fot?" anyof; the 1cars undervconstructi-cn Land fadjusted. tol compensateffon anyrfvariationfinthe r relations'.r

thereof 'to' the7 stepvwellvv tof the'. car 'si-d'eyfor to :the

the step well. or in thevrelationofJ-thef-step ftmth'ea' trapdoor 'in ith'e' closed: position rand with: respect: tothestep-Well.v

When: ther-fsubeassembled stepnstructtne. broughtl Ataf-the'. step.l well forzinstalla-tion;l Athe-bolts;y |001A may-fbe adjusted' proper-ly'tc. positionzuthev The vertically disposed boltsrmay besadre` justedi so= to-position thee'trunnion sleeve 95 V as towregulate -the ,height'ofn thefstepzlassembly and; to? level thevsteps; on :ahorizontallplaneg when inn operative,-v position; andlrwhenfthe steps arein.-

operatively. disposed, to: positionithe:- free-edges of '.the=step assembly: iniproperrelation tothe underside of theyclosedf-trapdeor; The-horiZon--- tal bolts -l llmmayibeadjustedto position the trim--l niom sleevegso.; that f the step, assemblyisdisposed f tl'ieaopen` positiomiand when; the 1 steps. are. closed;I

to position).` the backi side.v 8.1i ush withttheein.-

wardlyrcuryed side tot.y the'acar: Aand improper. ree`v la'tion` `totl'ie side :edge of the f trapdool'. justment oft-allot ithefbcltsz:|-00,oncedetermined. is permanentlymaintained by: the locknuts I 0|.; The engagement -cftlfie4` annular `ange Se; on .the-. trunnionzrsupporting sleeve-member- 99, between;` thee channelf-memberf'll and: the mountir-igc'ollaryv 95?-miaizlitainsthe;A axis of theesleeve. member; at:

Wheref anumber all times on a horizontal plane whereby to prevent cooking thereof at an angle as the bolts |03 are adjusted and serves as a guide, insuring movement of the sleeve only in directions necessary to-the adjustment lof the bolts. After the final adjustment of all of the bolts l!! has been effected, the step assembly still may be dismounted without disturb-ing such adjustment merely by removing the respective pins ID3 and withdrawing the trunnions 94 from the bearing receptacles 9| through the sleeves 99, whereupon the step Iassembly may be removed from the step well. The entire trunnion assembly, including trunnion 94, sleeve 99, and mounting collar S5, may be removed as a unit by removing the four cap screws Sl. Thus it lwill be seen that a simple means of removing the step assembly for maintenance purposes has been providedrrwhioh does not necessitate the readjustment of the mount ing'assemblies upon reinstallation.

`The step .assembly Si) is connected to the trapdoor l5 for coincidental operation of both in proper relation to each other, :and the means for connecting the two structures provides for the further adjustment of the cooperative relation between these members and in respect thereof to the car platform l5 and the step well l1. The operative position of the step assembly is determined by the engagement of stop members |05 on the steps with stops I 0A in the step well. The stops |05 are in the form ci' angle members secured to the side walls 19 and 8| of the step assembly immediately beneath the upper-most tread 82 and extending rearwardly therebeyond for en gagement with the stops H14 which are mounted upon the under side @of the horizontal flange of the angle member 'I8 lat the lower edge of the fixed riser 'I6 as the step assembly is lowered to full open position for use. The connection between the steps and trapdoor provides for the adV justment :of the full onen position of the trapdoor to this full open position of the steps. The engagement of the stops HM with the stops |05 acts as a positive limit of rotation in the opening movement of the step assembly and provides a rigid stabilizer -for the steps in their open position, and the adjustment of the connection between the steps and trapdoor dees not disturb this rigidly supported condition. The operative position of the steps as determined by the engagement of the stops |94 and m5 may be regulated by the use cf shims for 4adjustingI the stops.

The pivotal axis of the step `assembly is disposed at an angle of substantially ninety degrees to the hinged axis of the trapdoor and the connection between the step and trandoor is universally movable with respect to each to accommodate the movements of the two structures operating in directions at right angles to each other. The connection comprises a strut memu ber in the form of a hat bar having articulation members H3 and H5 hingedly connected thereto at the respectively opposite ends thereof l as Iat l l2 and l i4. llhe articulation members are threaded, and the member l S3, connected with the step assembly, is threaded into a xed pivot block IIS secured to the side wall 8| of the step assembly by welding. It is to be noted that the side wall 8| extends above the level of the uppermost tread 82 as at '83 and it is in this extended area that the pivot block IIB is secured on the outer side of the step assembly, but communicating through an opening in the side wall with the inner side thereof, from which position the articulation member |I3 is entered.

The extended area of the sidewall is stiiened; by reinforcing plates 89 radiating from the pivot block H6, to which and the side wall 8| they.

are secured by welding. One of the reinforcing plates extends to and is secured to the bearing receptacle 9|, and both of the plates extend beneath the level of the tread 82 whereby tov rigidify the extended area $8 to the fullest and to distribute forces transmitted by the strut lincident to the coincidental operation of the steps and trapdoor into the side wall 8| andr The upwardlyr extended portion 38 and the side wall 3| are'l the step assemblyas a whole.

further stiiened by the Hanging of the side wall outwardly Within the area of the step Well as at 90. by closing the space between the step assembly and the adjacent side wall 'F6 of the step well conceals the trunnion support mechanism andA the pivot block H5 from the View of persons using the steps. posite side of the step assembly also is flanged outwardly at 96 to close the space between that side of the steps and the step well and thereby conceal the trunnion mechanism, but at the upper tread 82 the flange is disposed horizontally flush with the surface of the tread, since it is unnecessary for this side wall to extend above the level of the top tread.

The articulation member |53 is adapted to be screwed into the pivot block |55 and serves the twofold purpose of adjusting the at bar in regard to the vertical disposition of the bar in the open position and in respect to clearances thereof in relation to the trapdoor, thev step well structure and the step side Wall exversally movable in regard to its connection to" the steps whereby the movements of the bar with respect to the steps in directions at right' angles due to the disposition of the steps and trapdoor for operation at right angles is entirely unrestricted.

The connection of the strut ll! at its opposite end to the trapdoor It is similarly adjustable by the threaded engagement of the articulation member H5 in the pivot block H1, but the pivot block; is slidingly mounted for further adjustment of the connection as required to obtain the proper relation between the trapdoor and steps and the platform. As best shown in the larger scale views of Figs. 9, l@ and ll', the sliding pivot block l l is rectangular in orm and provided with laterally extending base fianges ||8 adapted to interlock with a frame llt re=` movably mounted in the trapdoor. The frame I9 might be said to be H-shaped with a central rectangular opening an undercut groove 2| at each side to receive the projecting base flange H8 at the corresponding side of the sliding block. The sliding.

block is guided between the side walls of the central opening |23 against any but a sliding motion in the direction of operation of the trap-y l The flange 9U rigidies the side wall and' The side wall i9 at the op'- im for the reception or` the sliding block Il? and which is provided with db'or; 'and thef.A final; position. of, the..` blockrimthe openingr is;.deterrnined;by-v cap screws i212' en:A

gapingv opposite; ends.. of. the. sliding blockl. ta

fncthes` locationi of'` the. blo.ck:.in. .accordance with 16? member; Iihmounted;4 upon.. the. side .vs/'allL 10s, ofithe f step klwell: inv operative@ relationv to.v the.` conet nectiom As best-.shownin..Eigs. 2. and 5.,the strutr- I'I'I adjustments; made at the time of.,` installation. 5 A intheopen positionofz th'etrapdoor. isadaptedv ofz.- the. connection between the trapdoor.` and steps:v The end walls; I23Vdefinin'g the lengthof` thez'central opening |20-A are spaced fr.om-.ther opposite ends. of the-slidingl block. II'I distances.

n relation tou receive. the sliding.; block between them, and whereby, the block may be adjustedl normally'to' berdsposedv parallel to the under? surf ace. of the -trapdo or, and.` thefflat construction of vthe'strut enables the most in'conspicuous-fdisfv position thereof. in-the stepfwell. By reasonfor.-

thee-'connecting' strut may be adjusted as closely-- adjacent? to. the f underneath. surface of theftrapf door as possible vin the open position and con-- sistent withthe properv cooperative relation 1be-- lengthwise' 0f! the Openlgfin either. directiona-byf 15p tween the trapdoor; and steps when in-closed 110' retracting one. or; the other.l of the-.cap screws" and;.advancing the.' otherr.. End. spaces |24 in the-zframe H91 provide for theadjustmentof the: capscrews;

The' frame lg' is* ressed into thunder Side? 2011s guard |35 may beusedto' close the :space betvveenz.

ofathe;y trapdoorl and is. rigidly mounted. in: a pocket. |25 provided; therefor. in.v the struc-tureofgtheztrapdoor.; Theirame'is secured by means' of: countersunk machine.` screws; IZBfpassing sitionzwhereby the strut does not project.v into` theestepwell 'irri such mannen asto. vbe ob'jection-.- able; and. by vreasonsof such disposition of.v thaw' strut .itsusezasra f grab; handle isv prevented.. Thew thelstrutand the-:sidewall 'Ide below the level'of the trapdoor andiY thereby preventthestrutfromfn being. grasped'as a -handhold at that position-,-r

The? step assembly-'thus is supported" in: theA through laterally extended; anges |21 on the'g, ste-pV well onftrunnions'which are"removablerfor:N

frame and: threadedy intozthe trapdoor. Thusv secured, theframe. virtually becomes a. part'of'v thetrap.v door andalords a solidly anchored point of attachment for: the connection III,`

dismountingthe stepsand which are adjustable;` axially to center the step'. assembly in' thefstepi well, and' adjustable vertically and horizontally? to regulate'the position of' the stepsY relativetoi andA the adjustable Sliding. DVO blOCk l n by Bottnxed portions in the step Welland to the car sid'e reason offtheiilanges; I-I8 Aunderlying theEgrooved. side. wallszofithe. frame,- is interlocked Withthe. frame.- in suclnmanner as'to preclude removal.l thereof Without rst dismountingf. the frame.; so that, when. assembled, 'withthe pivotablock; ad 3 justediand the articulationmember; I I 5 threaded. into.' position. therein, the onlyl relative; move-- ment-.between anyV of they parts will be thezrotation ofithe member II5 initsrthreaded -mount-- inggjastheitrapdoor and'steps are. operated, and. ot courseuthe hinginggactionof thes strut IIIr aboutpthefhi-nge I.I4. A1 plate. |28.` covers.` the.; pocket: |25: and serves; to concealtheframe IISr. and.. the adjustingv mechanism'iwhen the trapdoor `is-raised. The coverznplate is securedin... position; .by means ;of; nat head: machine. .screws I29v and is. providedwith an elongatedvcentral.; opening through' which.. the articulation .mem-- ber. 'I I5 4is adaptedV to. extend ifor'connectioni.witht the-strutrl I `I .l

The. articulation member.. II5.. at the.-trapdoor and the member. II 3- aty thestep., assembly'I may, each of them, be installed in the-.respective-pivot blocks II'I and II6,1 or the-.adjustmentthereof changed, merely-by removing. the hinge. pin I I0. frorntheconnections. I Ill-.or II2 at .either end of. theconnecting strut. I I.I whereby to...disconnect the. strut, and whereupon. the articulation meme bers. maybe screwed4 intoor out of thepivot.. blocksto .obtainrtheidesired.relationbetween the various. parts, .and the. hinge pin.y then replaced... The. hinge. p ins H5. are heldinplaceby means.7 of..cotter keys.. Adjustmentof .thememben I`I5` maybe had without .the necessity of removing` thecover plate |28 since this. memberprcjectsf through the centralopenng in theplate. When adjusting the position ofthe pivot block. III in. the frame IIS', however, itis necessary that'the cover plate be removed in order to..manipulate. the. adjusting screws |22.'` Adjustment of the member II5 may. be utilized to' modifythe-effective length of the connection II I inadjusting the steps and trapdoor relative to each' other;, and; like the member H3, also may be used`to regulate the'vertical rposition'. of the" connection*v relative t'o the'trapdoor and a' cooperating 'gua Wall and in relation to' a cooperating'trapdoor' with which the' steps' are operatively'connectedl` for coincidental actuation, to'rotate -in directions: at' right angles. about' their' respective` pivotal i axes; and. this connection ismovab-le universallyAw and adjustablein respect both to the steps and'.` trapdoor` and is adjustable further in. respect tot one tol compensate for differences' -in thev rela-f tionof: each to the other' and the car` pletforni 4 and .side walland to adjust' the extreme posi-` tions'oboth. The. trunnion assemblies maybe removed asv units. and the connection betweenn thesteps and trapdoor comprises a hat strut'v which may readily be disconnected from eitherv for adjustmentL Improved hardware facilitates' operation of the trapdoor and steps and securely,m maintains the |parts in either ofl their extreme` positions of movements;

What .is claimed is:

l. In a. railway car having'a platform and a' step Well'.with.a folding'step. assembly pivotally" mounted inthe step well anda hinged trapdoor" operating` directions' at right angles'. to. the r step, assembly andadapted to fold ush with thej platform over the step well, means foradjustingf the lpivotal axis of the step assembly in vertical" and horizontaldi'rectionsto regulate the normal' opierativeposition of the assembly relative 'to' the; step well and platform comprising trunnionsA `mounted'in the step Welland universally adjust= able in directionsperpendicular to the pivotal-4v axis of the step assembly, said trunnionsv en gaging'bearings on the step assembly 'pivotallyf`l r to support the assembly in adjusted normali?- 7U connections to the step` assembly and trapdoorl respectively for regulating the'length thereof accordance with the adjustment of the* stepiasi# semblv relative to the trapdoor.

2. In a railway `lcarhaving a platform'andla- -step well witlraiolding step' assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trap door operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold flush with the platform over the step well, means for adjusting the pivotal axis of the step assembly in vertical and horizontal directions to regulate the normal operative position of the assembly relative to the step well and platform comprising trunnions mounted in the step well and universally adjustable in directions perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the step assembly, said trunnions. engaging bearings on the step assembly pivotally to support the assembly in adjusted normal operative position relative to the step well, means providing a compensating adjustment between the step assembly and trapdoor comprising a universally movable strut member extending between and having individually adjustable connections to the step assembly and trapdoor respectively for regulating the length thereof in accordance with the adjustment of the step assembly relative to the trapdoor, and means for adjusting one of said connections perpendicularly to said lengthwise adjustment further to compensate for adjustment of the step assembly relative to the trapdoor.

3. In a railway car having a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trapdoor operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold flush with the platform over the step well, means for fitting the step assembly in the step well and with respect to the platform and trapdoor including trunnions for pivotally supporting the steps and a member connecting the step assembly with the trapdoor for coincidental operation, said trunnions being mounted in the step Well for adjustment axially and adjustable universally in directions perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the step assembly and engageable with bearings on the step assembly whereby to adjust the pivotal axis of the assembly in vertical and horizontal directions to regulate the normal operative position of the assembly relative to the step well, and said member connecting the step assembly with the trapdoor comprising a strut having hinged connection at respectively opposite ends with articulation members threaded directly into the step assembly and trapdoor whereby to afford universal swiveling movements of the strut with respect thereto and provide for regulating the length of the strut in accordance with the adjustment of the step assembly relative to the trapdoor.

4. In a railway car having a platform and a step Well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trap doorI operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold flush with the platform over the step well, means for fitting the step assembly in the step Well and with respect to the platform and trapdoor including trunnion assemblies for pivotally supporting the steps and a member connecting the step assembly with the trapdoor for coincidental operation, said trunnion assemblies comprising mounting collars secured respectively in opposite side walls of the step well, a sleeve member mounted in concentric spaced relation within each collar, and a trunnion mounted in the respective sleeve members, supporting bearings at opposite sides of the step assembly engaged by the respective trunnions, and means for adjusting the respective sleeve members in said mounting collars perpendicularly to the axes of said trunnions to adjust the location of the trunnions and thereby adjust the pivotal axis of the step assembly in vertical and hor# izontal directions whereby to regulate the normal operative position of the assembly in the step well, said member connecting the step assembly with the trapdoor comprising a strut movable universally with respect to both and adjustable with respect to one for regulating the disposition of the strut in accordance with the adjustment of the step assembly relative to the trapdoor.

' 5. In a railway car having a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trapdoor operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold flush with the platform over the step well, means for fitting the step assemblyin the step well and with respect to the platform and trapdoor including trunnion assemblies for pivotally supporting the steps and a member connecting the step assembly with the trapdoor for coincidental operation, said trunnion assemblies comprising mounting collars secured respectively in opposite side walls of the step well, a sleeve member mounted in concentric spaced relation within each collar, and a trunnion mounted in the respective sleeve members, supporting bearings at opposite sides of the step assembly engaged by the respective trunnions, means for adjusting the respective sleeve members in said mounting collars perpendicularly to the axes of said trunnions to adjust the location of the trunnions and thereby adjust the pivotal axis of the step assembly in vertical and hori- Zontal directions whereby to regulate the normal operative position of the assembly in the step well, and means for securing the respective trunnions in said sleeve members in a plurality of axially adjusted positions whereby to center the step assembly between said side walls, said mem--4 ber connecting the step assembly with the trap-v door comprising a strut movable universally with respect to both and adjustable with respect to one for regulating the disposition of the strut in accordance with the adjustment of the step assembly relative to the trapdoor.

6. In a railway car having a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trap door operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold flush with the platform over the step well, means for fitting the step assembly in the step well and with respect to the platform and trapdoor including trunnionl assemblies for pivotally supporting the steps and a member connecting the step assembly with the trapdoor for coincidental operation, said trunnionv assemblies comprising mounting collars secured respectively in opposite side walls of the step well, a sleeve member mounted in concentric spaced relation within each collar, and a trunnion mounted in the respective sleeve members, supsembly relative to the trapdoor.

7. In a railway car having a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotallyvv mounted in the step well and a hinged trap door operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold ush with the platform over the step well, means for fitting the step assembly in the step well and with respect to the platform and trapdoor including trunnion assemblies for pivotally supporting the steps and a strut member connecting the step assembly with the trapdoor for coincidental operation, said trunnion assemblies comprising mounting collars secured respectively in opposite side walls of the step well, a sleeve member mounted in concentric spaced relation within each collar and having a portion confined between the collar and respectively adjoining side wall to prevent axial displacement of the sleeve member, and a trunnion mounted in the respective sleeve members, supporting bearings at opposite sides of the step assembly engaged by the respective trunnions, means for adjusting said sleeve members in the mounting collars perpendicularly to the axes of said trunnions thereby to adjust the locations of the trunnions in the step well, and means for securing the respective trunnions in said sleeve members in a plurality of axially adjusted positions whereby to center the step assembly between said side walls.

8. In a railway car having a step well with a folding step assembly disposed therein, means for pivotally mounting the step assembly in the step well including a trunnion assembly for adjusting the angular disposition of the pivotal axis of the step assembly, said trunnion assembly comprising a mounting collar removably secured in the step well, a sleeve member mounted in concentrically spaced relation within said collar and having a portion conned between the collar and the step well to prevent axial displacement of the sleeve member, and a trunnion removably mounted in the sleeve member, a cooperating bearing in the step assembly engaged by the trunnion, means for adjusting said sleeve member in the mounting collar perpendicularly to the axis of said trunnion whereby to adjust the location of the trunnion in the step well and thereby regulate the angular disposition of the pivotal axis of the step assembly, and fastening means for securing the trunnion in said sleeve member in a plurality of axially adjusted positions to center the step assembly in the step well, said trunnion assembly being removable as a unit by removing said mounting collar and said trunnion being removable independently by removing said fastening means.

9. In a railway car having a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step wall and a hinged trap door operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly` and adapted to fold substantially flush with the platform over the step well, means for pivotally mounting the step assembly in the step well incluuding trunnions adjustable perpendicularly to the pivotal axis of the step assembly for fitting the step assembly relative to the step well, a strut member connecting the step assembly with the trapdoor for coincidental op eration comprising a at bar disposed closely adjacent to the trapdoor in the inoperative position thereof, means connecting the strut member to the step assembly and trap door comprising end members hingedly connected to the strut on parallel axes transversely of the strut and having threaded swivel connection with the step assembly and trap door on axes perpendicular to the axes of the hinge connections whereby to provide universally'swiveling connections to the step assembly and trap door, means for disconnecting said end members from the strut whereby to adjust the threaded connections in the step assembly and trap door to regulate the relation of the strut member therebetween, pivot blocks in the step assembly and trap door respectively adapted to receive said threaded connections, means in the trap door to mount said pivot block for relative sliding movement including a removable guide frame, and means for adjusting the position of the pivot block in said frame to compensate for said adjustment of the step assembly.

10. In a railway car Ihaving a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trap door operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold substantially flush with the platform over the step well, means for pivotally mounting the step assembly in the step well including trunnions adjustable perpendicularly to the pivotal axis of the step assembly for fitting the step assembly relative to the step Well, a strut member connecting the step assembly with the trap door for coincidental operation comprising a flat bar disposed closely adjacent to the trap door in the inoperative position thereof, means connecting the strut member to the step assembly and trap door comprising end members hingedly connected to the strut on parallel axes transversely of the strut and having threaded swivel connection with the step assembly and trap door on axes perpendicular to the axes of the hinge connections whereby to provide universally swiveling connections to the step assembly and trap door, and means for disconnecting said end members from the strut whereby to adjust the threaded connections in the step assembly and trap door to regulate the relation of the strut member therebetween and to compensate for said adjustment of the step assembly.

11. In a railway car having a platform and a step Well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step Well and a hinged trapfdoor operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold substantially flush with` the platform over the step well, means forpivotall'y mounting the step assembly in the step well including trunnions adjustable perpendicularly to the pivotal axis of the step assembly for ttng the step assembly relative to the step well, a strut member connecting the step assembly with the trap door for coincidental operation comprising a flat bar disposed closely adjacent to the trap door in the inoperative position thereof, means connecting the strut member to thestep assembly and trap door comprising end members hingedly connected to the strut and having threaded swivel. connection` with the step assembly and trap door whereby to provide u-niversally swiveling connections to the step assembly. and trap door, pivot blocks in the step assembly andv trap door respectively adapted to receive said threaded connections, means in the trap door to mount said pivot block for relative sliding movement including a removable guide frame, and means for adjusting the position of the pivot block in said frame to compensate for said adjustmentof the step assembly.

12. In a railway car having a; platform and astepwell` with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and ahinged trap door operating in. directions at right angles to the step assembly and-l adapted to fold substantially flush with the platfrom over the step Well, means for pivotally mounting the step assembly in the step well including trunnions adjustable perpendicularly to the pivotal axis of the step assembly for tting the step assembly relative to the step well, a strut member connecting the step assembly with the trap door for coincidental operation comprising a flat bar disposed closely adjacent to the trap door in the inoperative position thereof, means connecting the strut Amember to the step assembly and trap door comprising end members hingedly connected to the strut and having threaded swivel connection with the step assembly and trap door whereby to provide universally swiveling connections to the step assembly and trap door, pivot blocks in the step assembly and trap door respectively adapted to receive said threaded connections, means to mount one of said pivoted blocks for relative sliding movement, and means for adjusting block to compensate for said adjustment of the step assembly.

13. In a railway car having a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trap door operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold substantially ilush with the platform over the step well, means connecting the steps with the trap door including a strut member, means connecting the strut member to the step assembly and trap door cornprising end members hingedly connected to the strut on parallel axes transversely of the strut and having threaded swivel connection with the step assembly and trap door on axes perpendicular to the axes of the hinge connections whereby to provide universally swiveling connections to the step assembly and trap door, means for disconnecting said end members from the strut whereby to adjust the threaded connections in the step assembly and trap door to regulate the relation of the strut member therebetween, pivot blocks in the step assembly and trap door respectively adapted to receive said threaded connections, means in pivot block for relative sliding movement in a direction perpendicular to the hinge axis of the trap door including a removable guide frame, and means for changing the position of the pivot block in said frame whereby to change the effective length of said strut and provide a compensating adjustment for fitting the step assembly and trap door relative to each other.

14. In a railway car having a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trap door operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold substantially flush with the platform over the step well, means connecting the steps with the trap door including a strut member, means connecting the strut member to the step assembly and trap door comprising end members hingedly connected to the strut and having threaded swivel connection with the step assembly and trap door whereby to provide universally swivcling connections to the step the position of the pivot the trap door to mount said assembly and trap door, pivot blocks in the step assembly and trap door respectively adapted to receive said threaded connections, means in the trap door to mount said pivot block for relative sliding movement in a direction perpendicular to the hinge axis of the trap door including a removable guide frame, and means for changing the position of the pivot block in said frame whereby to change the effective length of said strut and provide a compensating adjustment for fitting the step assembly and trap door relative to each other. l

15. In a railway car having a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trap door operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold substantially flush with the platform over the step well, means connecting the steps with the trap door including a strut member, means connecting the strut member to the step assembly and trap door comprising end members hingedly connected to the strut on parallel axes transversely of the strut and having threaded swivel connection with the i step assembly and trap door on axes perpendicular to the axes of the hinge connections whereby to provide universally swiveling connections to the step assembly and trap door and means for disconnecting said end members from the strut whereby to adjust the threaded connections in the step assembly and trap door to change the effective length of the strut member and thereby provide a compensating adjustment for fitting the step assembly and trap door relative to each other.

1G. In a railway car having a platform and a step well with a folding step assembly pivotally mounted in the step well and a hinged trap door operating in directions at right angles to the step assembly and adapted to fold substantially flush with the platform over the step well, means connecting the step assembly with the trap door including a strut member, said strut member comprising a flat bar adapted to be disposed closely adjacent to the trap door in the inoperative position whereby to prevent use of the strut as a handheld, and means beneath the level of the trap door substantially closing the space between the strut member and step well to prevent use of the strut as a handheld.

FREDERICK C. HEYERDAI-IL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,522,674 September 19, 195() FREDERICK C. HEYERDAHL It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 10, line 46, before the Word assembly insert of the step; column 19, line 62, for ncluuding read including;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of December, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gommzssz'oner of Patents. 

